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The Canucks were hoping the all-star break would be all that was needed to resolve the back “spasms” defenseman Alex Edler was suffering from. But the news today was not good for the Canucks most effective weapon on the blueline, as he will undergo micro discectomy surgery to repair his ailing back. How much time Edler will be out of the lineup is not known, but it won’t be anytime soon.

“After consultation with our physicians it was decided that surgery was the best course of action,” said Canucks GM Mike Gillis. “The best long term decision for Alex and our hockey club was to have the surgery immediately.”

The best case scenario seems to be a anywhere from 6 weeks to 3 months for a return to the lineup.

The injury will no doubt cast all eyes on Sami Salo once again, who is attempting to return from a torn Achilles tendon injury and has been practicing with the team for some time. Salary cap issues were also clouding his return to the lineup, with salary having to be cleared to make room for the offensive defenseman’s return.

But with the recent rash of injuries on the blueline and what is looking to be a long term injury to Edler, that hurdle may be cleared, and all that is needed for Salo to return could be a clean bill of health.